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© Bruce M. White, 2006.
Intaglio of an Archer
© Bruce M. White, 2006.
© Bruce M. White, 2006.
© Bruce M. White, 2006.
ClassificationsAncient Near Eastern Art

Intaglio of an Archer

Place CreatedIran, Asia
CultureSasanian
Dateca. 4th Century CE
MediumCarnelian
Credit LineGift in honor of Lucie Andre
Dimensions2 3/4 x 1/2 x 3/8 in. (7 x 1.2 x 1 cm)
Object number2006.015.001
Label TextThis carved stone or intaglio would originally have been set into a ring or other piece of jewelry. It depicts a bearded warrior seated on horseback firing a bow and arrow behind him in the typical manner of a Parthian warrior. Parthia was a small state located to the southeast of the Caspian Sea, but expanded into Mesopotamia and struggled with the Roman Empire for control of the area.

Parthian archers were renowned for their ability to shoot arrows backwards from their horses forcing invading enemies to charge after them into unfamiliar terrain. This technique became known as the "Parthian shot" and found its way into everyday speech, used to describe a provocative phrase or action made by someone leaving.
Exhibition HistoryMCCM Permanent Collection Reinstallation, September 2001 - February 12, 2018
ProvenanceWith Bonhams London, December 1, 1999, lot 293. Ex private collection, United States.
Status
Not on view
Collections
  • Ancient Egyptian, Nubian, and Near Eastern Art